An essential look at our planet's key vital signs. The data reveals Earth's health is under significant and accelerating pressure.
424.5
parts per million
An unprecedented level in human history, directly impacting planet health.
+1.15°C
above pre-industrial avg.
Consistently ranking the last decade as the warmest on record, affecting overall planet health.
4.5 mm
per year (avg. rate)
The rate has more than doubled since the 1990s, a critical indicator for planet health.
Since the industrial revolution, the planet's average surface temperature has risen significantly. This chart shows the deviation from the 1951-1980 average. The sharp upward trend since the 1970s is a clear indicator of human-induced climate change, with recent years being the hottest ever recorded, posing a direct threat to overall planet health.
The Keeling Curve provides a stark record of accumulating carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. Measured at Mauna Loa, Hawaii, these levels have climbed relentlessly, crossing a symbolic and dangerous threshold of 400 ppm in 2013 and continuing to rise. This excess CO₂ traps heat, acting as the primary driver of global warming and a key concern for planet health. Its trajectory is closely linked to human activity and energy consumption.
Arctic sea ice, which reaches its minimum extent each September, is a critical component of the Earth's climate system. This chart shows its dramatic decline since 1980. The loss of this reflective ice cover accelerates warming in a dangerous feedback loop, known as Arctic amplification, significantly impacting planet health and contributing to global sea level rise.
Global average sea level has risen by over 100mm since 1993, and the rate is accelerating. This rise is caused by two primary factors related to global warming: the added water from melting ice sheets and glaciers, and the thermal expansion of seawater as it warms. This trend poses a direct threat to coastal populations worldwide and is a major concern for planet health, directly correlated with global temperature increases.
Understanding the sources of greenhouse gas emissions is key to tackling climate change. The energy sector, primarily for electricity, heat, and transport, is by far the largest contributor. Agriculture, industrial processes, and waste management also play significant roles. Decarbonizing our energy system is the single most important step towards a stable climate and improved planet health.
The human population has experienced exponential growth over the last century, placing unprecedented demand on the planet's resources. While population growth is not the sole driver of climate change, it amplifies the impact of consumption patterns, resource use, and emissions, particularly in high-income nations, directly affecting planet health.
Adjust the slider below to see how different projected population growth rates could hypothetically influence atmospheric CO₂ levels and global energy consumption. This is an illustrative model to demonstrate interconnectedness, not a precise scientific forecast.
Current Influence Factor: 0.00
Projected CO₂ Impact by 2025: No change from current trend
Projected Energy Consumption Impact by 2024: No change from current trend
The Living Planet Index reveals a staggering decline in the average population sizes of mammals, birds, fish, amphibians, and reptiles. Since 1970, monitored wildlife populations have plummeted by an average of 69%. This catastrophic loss of biodiversity is a direct result of habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change, signaling a grave threat to ecosystem health and resilience, and ultimately to overall planet health.
Planet Earth is a complex system where every action has ripple effects. This diagram illustrates how key environmental challenges are not isolated but are deeply interconnected, forming a web of cause and effect. Addressing one issue often has benefits across multiple areas, highlighting the need for holistic solutions.
Drive:
Lead to:
Result in:
Ultimately leading to:
Global Warming ⇌ GHG Emissions: Warming melts permafrost, releasing methane; wildfires release CO₂.
Habitat Loss ⇌ Biodiversity Loss: Fewer species mean less resilient ecosystems, further reducing habitats.
Ocean Acidification ⇌ Marine Life Decline: Weakened marine life makes oceans less effective at absorbing CO₂.
Water Scarcity ⇌ Food Insecurity: Lack of water impacts agriculture, leading to food shortages.
Extreme Weather ⇌ Resource Depletion: Disasters damage infrastructure and natural resources, increasing demand for new resources.
This chart illustrates the history of our global energy diet. While fossil fuels (coal, oil, and gas) have powered industrial development for over a century and still dominate, the growth of renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydropower is clearly visible in recent decades. The speed at which we can transition this entire system to clean energy will determine the future of our climate and planet health. This consumption is directly influenced by population size and economic activity.
Our planet has natural systems for absorbing carbon, like oceans and forests. For millennia, these systems were in balance. Human activities, primarily burning fossil fuels, release vast amounts of extra carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, overwhelming these natural sinks and causing it to accumulate, which drives climate change and impacts planet health.